Texas Tech Costa Rica

Everyone was really helpful, and kept the whole experience on track. Every day was a new experience and was able to learn and experience many things about Costa Rica. Everytime a problem came up it was resolved smoothly.

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I really enjoyed this experience. My review is based off of a free trip less expenses such as food and transportation, as I received scholarships for this course. I do know that many students paid upwards of $7,000 on this study abroad trip, which I do find to be a bit much. Considering we were staying in $80 / night hotels with non-working lights, mediocre amenities, and bad air conditioning and bedding coupled with the scarcity of included meals, the figure should have been more around $3,000 without airfare cost. I do not understand how the cost was so high for what was received. I also found living in the dorms with random Costa Rican people to be fun, but a bit restrictive. The morning meals were literally eggs, a piece of bread, and really bad coffee. I was also staying in a really small bunk bed which was uncomfortable. Staying in an affordable hotel would have been better. Next time I recommend the school book out Ester’s Place which is closer to the tech campus and run by a lovely lady who has many rooms available in her home hotel. She also had a much better breakfast and the cost was only $65 / night per person. I stayed here my first night flying in on the 12th and wish I could have gone back but due to restrictions I was not allowed. My family of four at the time in 2019 went on an all inclusive cruise to Italy, Spain, and France for under $10,000 with included meals, drinks , stay, etc. So this trip being $7,000 + for just ONE PERSON is a bit crazy. Regardless, the activities were awesome and for me, price was not an issue as stated before. So, my review without price factored was it was amazing. Great tour guide Rodrigo was so knowledgeable and a very nice guy. He took us to authentic places and not just generic touristy places. I enjoyed seeing the stark contrast in sustainability initiatives between exotic resorts, quasi-governmental organizations, and design firms. I truly did get a wonderful experience with understanding how firms work and the metric process used to gather sustainability info, as well as how to tell if a company may be kind of BS-ing the situation with their sustainability initiatives, or holding themselves accountable. I loved the zip line tour and the coffee and cocoa bean tour. The history tours around the towns was cool, but truly was not necessary. I feel we could have just had an informational PDF sent to us instead of touring these relatively boring historical landmarks. Activities are always more fun than learning about history. I think it would have been much more effective to fly into Liberia, tour the beach and Penninsula Papagayo’s HOA office, then make our way back to San Jose and visit firms, then fly out of SJO. The amount of time driving was frustrating. Or, instead, we would just fly into SJO and tour the Caribbean side of things and skip the western side of Costa Rica altogether. This way the time could be allocated more effectively. I also wish the professors would have split us into groups so we could have gotten to know everyone. There were certain folks I never really got to have conversations with because the groups would naturally clique and we never had forced exposure to each other. Overall it was a wonderful trip and, with a few adjustments I know the next one will be awesome as well!

Altogether, I had a great time. We got to see so much and I believe the pacing of the program was great, spending the right amount of time at each location. La Fortuna was my favorite! Traveling in a large group brought up trouble with waiting on students, health issues, etc. but I still think they were able to make the most of it. Having a flexible schedule and being open to adjustments definitely helps. Our guide Rodrigo and our bus drivers were the best!

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Coming to TTU Costa Rica was an amazing experience and allowed me to try lots of new and unique things. Rodrigo was the absolute best and the entire trip wouldn't have been half as great and smooth without him! Gonna miss him back in the states, thank you so much for an amazing time!

Getting involved in Texas tech Costa Rica study abroad program was one of the best decisions I made during my time at Texas Tech. Costa Rica is a beautiful country with even better people. I was able to intern and gain new experiences in my industry while also being immersed into a great culture.

Studying abroad in Costa Rica was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Living in such a beautiful and biodiverse country made every day feel like an adventure from exploring rainforests and beaches to spotting wildlife I had only seen in documentaries. The academic experience was equally valuable; classes often connected directly to the local culture and environment, which made learning feel much more meaningful than in a typical classroom. Beyond academics, the biggest impact came from the people. Interacting with locals and fellow students from around the world helped me grow more confident, open minded, and adaptable. I also improved my Spanish and gained a deeper appreciation for Costa Rica’s “pura vida” lifestyle, which emphasizes balance, community, and enjoying life. Overall, studying abroad in Costa Rica expanded my perspective in ways I didn’t expect. It challenged me, inspired me, and left me with friendships and memories that will stay with me long after the program ended.

I enjoyed Texas Tech-Costa Rica! It was an eye opener because it was my first time out of the country ever and I met so many nice people during my time there. The staff, locals, and other students were amazing to meet. I knew this was a great opportunity because I knew I wanted to experience the amazing study abroad experiences that Texas Tech had to offer and Costa Rica did not disappoint! I will always recommend students to experience Texas Tech Costa Rica, I may not be studying abroad there again since I am graduating May 2026, however I will be back to Costa Rica to get out of the states for a while!

I have been on quite a few trips, but this one was probably my favorite ever. Not only was it an extremely school centric trip, where we got lessons and visits from experts almost every day, but we also got to experience the culture and beauty of Costa Rica. If I had the time and money to, I would go on this trip again.

My study abroad experience in San Juan, Costa Rica was truly unforgettable. The program struck a perfect balance between academics, cultural immersion, and exploration. Throughout the semester, we took weekend trips to experience the many sides of Costa Rica—from its rich culture and history to its incredible natural landscapes. These excursions made the country come alive in a way that went far beyond what you could learn in a classroom. The administration and faculty played a huge role in making the experience so positive. They were always supportive, organized engaging activities, and made sure we felt safe and comfortable while living and traveling in a new country. At the same time, they encouraged us to explore and truly experience Costa Rica rather than just observe it as tourists. The classes themselves were another highlight. The professors managed to present the material in a way that was both informative and entertaining, which made learning feel engaging instead of routine. It was clear that the academic quality of the program was never sacrificed for the travel experience—instead, the two complemented each other perfectly. One of the most meaningful parts of the program was the sense of camaraderie that developed among the students. Sharing the experience of living, learning, and traveling together created strong friendships that lasted long after the program ended. Years later, I still keep in touch with several of the friends I made during that time. Costa Rica will always have a special place in my heart because of this program. It offered the rare opportunity to combine classic travel experiences with genuine cultural immersion, all while maintaining a high standard of education. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a study abroad experience that is both academically enriching and personally meaningful.

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Honestly during my time in Costa Rica I had a blast, there was always something to do. Whether you’re a thrill seeker a museum goer or you like a more relaxed vibe there was always something for everyone and as someone who appreciates all those things, I can definitely say I had a great time.

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